NLS Conference
Biennial Conference of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS)
San Francisco - April 2-7, 2016.
At the Fairmont Hotel with a visit to SFPL and the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
(LBPD) on Monday April 4, 2016.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of
Congress (https://www.loc.gov/nls/).
The program
The program is free. Books circulate mainly through the United States Postal Service at no
charge to the patrons (Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped), or patrons
visit and check books out.
Choosing books
Patrons can mail in a form from the bi-monthly audio or large-print catalog, “Talking Book
Topics,” or search and order online through our LBPD catalog on the website (sfpl.org/lbpd),
or phone or email. All the books (except some picture books for children) are digital.
Patrons can opt for automatic selection. Automatic selection is through a special program
that keeps track of patron preferences. Patrons can decide how many books they want at a
time and choose subject areas and authors that they prefer. They can order by book
number, or ask librarians to help them find a suitable book. We do a lot of “reader advisory.”
Patrons can download digital books from the BARD website (Braille and Audio Reading
Download) or use the iOS or Android apps to download directly to a phone or other device.
We do a lot of one-to-one tech support.
Book formats
Special format (Daisy) Talking Books – audio books with built-in navigation, and the special
play-back equipment, delivered free.
Braille books.
Music scores in braille and large print.
For all ages 0 to 100+
General interest, fiction and non-fiction, best-sellers, classics etc.
Eligibility
Our eligible patrons are residents or citizens of the United States who are unable to read or
use standard print materials because of visual or physical impairment, including the inability
to hold a physical book.
History
The program was started in 1931 with braille for adults followed by extensions into audio
formats and service to children and service to people whose inability to read regular print is
caused by factors other than visual impairment.
Jane Glasby, Library for the Blind and Print Disabled – information for the SFPL Commission - December 2015
Headquarters
The NLS Headquarters in Washington DC selects, commissions and produces playback
equipment and books in braille and “talking book” formats. They also do a lot of research
and development, commission special software and hardware, and perform quality control
and cataloging.
The Network
Distribution is through a network of participating libraries. The host institutions vary, in many
states it is a single unit of the State Library. In California we have 2 regional libraries – in LA,
the Braille Institute serves southern CA and the State Library in Sacramento is the northern
regional. There are 2 sub regionals in northern CA, one at Fresno Public, and one here in
San Francisco.
San Francisco
There has been a library serving people who are blind here in San Francisco for over 40
years. We benefit from belonging to two important systems – the NLS Network, and the SF
Public Library. The Library for the Blind and Print Disabled has been in its present purposedesigned location on the second floor of the Main, opposite the Mix since the new Main
opened.
SFPL
As part of the public library, we offer adaptive technology, accessible internet computers,
braille production, DVDs of audio-described movies, programs, exhibitions, events, and
access to reference materials, large print books and other sources of audio.
The Conference
The biennial national conference gathers together librarians of the NLS Network and is
regularly attended by about 200 people. Librarians will be attending from all over the United
States and territories with technical experts and librarians from the Library of Congress
(NLS).
The growing population served by these libraries has been immensely empowered by the
digital revolution. The impact of new technologies on people’s lives is immeasurable as it
gives people unprecedented abilities to access information, to control their own lives and to
express themselves. The choice of San Francisco means that there will be an opportunity to
augment NLS presentations with demonstrations of locally developed technology.
NLS and invited speakers will offer hands-on training in new technologies and discuss future
developments of the service.
There will be a number of training opportunities. Sessions on grant writing, duplication on
demand, setting up a recording studio, using new databases, talks by leaders of technology
Conference sessions will include, but not be limited to:
Duplication on Demand: producing books on the fly, labelling, collection management,
assessment
Setting up a recording studio and using proprietary software to record, edit and format
talking books
Jane Glasby, Library for the Blind and Print Disabled – information for the SFPL Commission - December 2015
Reports on recent developments and expectations for the future in the areas of:

Publications and Media

Automation

Research and Development

Production Control

Quality Assurance

Collection Development

The Network

The Music Section
 Youth Services
Measuring Patron Satisfaction
Partnering with Public Libraries
Patron Engagement: Library Programming
Unified English Braille – the new standard
Public Education and Outreach
New features of three different circulation systems
Talks by visitors:

Josh Miele - Patron/ Scientist - Smith Kettlewell Eye Institute

Jim Fruchterman, Benetech/Bookshare

TBA – a best-selling author who is blind will speak
 Contributions on accessibility testing from Yahoo, Google and SFPL Web team
Trainings:
Managing subscriptions for magazines on cartridge
BARD Administration Tools
Assistive Technology
Database Tools - Updating Info/Retrieving Reports/ Statistical Reporting
Reader Advisory Tools and Strategies
BARD MOBILE for iOS and Android
BARD Media Manager
Jane Glasby, Library for the Blind and Print Disabled – information for the SFPL Commission - December 2015